Loyalty: A Salvation Society Novel Read online

  Loyalty

  Heather Dahlgren

  Loyalty (Salvation Society)

  Copyright © 2021 Heather Dahlgren

  Cover Design:

  Susana Mohel

  Editor:

  Literary Edits

  Proofreaders:

  Angel Follansbee

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  For Everyone Chasing Their Dreams

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  The Salvation Society

  Books by Heather Dahlgren

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Lorelei

  “Shh,” Blair whispers, as we stumble through the front door. We laugh as we both try squeezing through at the same time.

  The light flips on and we both freeze. “Shit,” I whisper.

  “Seriously? Don’t you guys need to be up in a few hours?” Haven says, putting her hands on her hips.

  “Sorry, mom,” I say, causing another fit of laughter with Blair. Haven rolls her eyes as I go into the kitchen to grab a water. “Relax, Haven. We’re all adults and capable of indulging on a work night.”

  “I think I’m more pissed that I decided not to come,” she admits, jumping up on the counter.

  The alcohol sloshing around in my body is much needed. I was once again passed up on for a new client. I know I was the perfect woman for the job, but my grandfather, who owns Seidel Public Relations, thought Brian was the best fit. He’s done everything in his power, which admittedly is a lot considering he owns the company, to keep me down. I’ve proved myself time and time again. I usually take the anger of rejection and focus it on work, but tonight I needed to let loose. I needed a night to just forget. Blair, my best friend since first grade, was more than willing to help me forget. Haven, my other best friend that I met freshman year of college at Rutgers University in New Jersey, chose to go on a blind date instead. The vodka coursing through my body makes the filter I usually have disappear.

  I smile as I uncap my water bottle. “You missed out on a good time, because you thought you’d get some dick and that didn’t happen, did it?”

  “Screw you, Lei,” she says, covering her face as she groans. “Ugh, shit you’re right.”

  “Details,” Blair says, climbing onto a stool by our breakfast bar.

  “There are no good details. We met at the restaurant, he tried to order for me.” Both Blair and I groan when she says that, and she shakes her head continuing. “He showed me pictures from his childhood. Asked me what I was looking for in a partner and how many kids I wanted.”

  “Holy shit, you should’ve just stabbed him and left,” Blair interrupts.

  I laugh as I look between them both. “Who set you up?”

  “Terry that I work with. She said he was perfect for me. I seriously need to reconsider how I come off to other people,” she says.

  “You dodged a bullet. Next time Lorelei wants to go get drunk, you’ll know better,” Blair says.

  Haven pulls out pizza from the fridge and drops it on the breakfast bar. “I ordered pizza when I got home. I needed to eat my way through my disappointment.”

  We all grab a slice of cold pizza. I may have no success in love, I may have to fight every single day to prove my worth at work, and I may not have had sex in almost three months, but I have the best friends in the world. I would be lost without these two. They’ve gotten me through shitty relationship after shitty relationship. Encouraged me to keep my head high when I’m over looked for opportunities at work. Cried with me when I lost my dad. Held my hair back when I’ve had one too many. I trust them without question. I’m an only child and I’ve been lucky enough to find two sisters.

  “I love you guys,” I say, finishing off my pizza.

  “Here we go,” Blair says, laughing.

  “We love you, too, Lei,” Haven says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

  “If I don’t get a client soon, I better at least find some dick that will fuck the pent up energy out of me,” I say, feeling my head begin to spin. “Ugh, I need to get some sleep before I pass out.” I blow them each a kiss and head toward my bedroom.

  “Aim higher, Lei, you need both,” Blair yells.

  I laugh as I fall down onto my white goose down comforter. This queen sized bed is so comfortable, yet hardly used. I’m usually up most of the night trying to find ways to persuade potential clients. Which usually happens on the couch in the living room. Blair, Haven, and I rent this three bedroom condo in Lincoln Park, Chicago. It’s relatively close to where we all work, budget friendly, and close to all the bars and restaurants we frequent. It’s not huge, but it’s perfect for us. It’s an open floor plan with an all white kitchen, a small dining room that we hardly use to eat, instead it’s a table full of papers, and a living room with a gas fireplace. It had just been updated with gray hardwood flooring, cream walls in every room, and simple white bathrooms. We’ve put our touch on it with splashes of color in artwork and our bright red couch.

  I smile as I think of all the fun we’ve had here in the last three years, just as I’m pulled under.

  “Fuck,” I jump up in a panic. I reach for my phone, turning off the blaring alarm. I get tangled in the comforter and nearly fall out of bed when I see that I’m late. I rush to the closet and grab my black pant suit. I have no time to shower, so I quickly get dressed and pull my hair up into a high ponytail. There’s no time to apply makeup, so after I brush my teeth, I toss on a bit of lip gloss.

  As I rush out of my room, shoving paperwork into my briefcase, I nearly trip over my heels from last night.

  “Shit!” I yell.

  “Oh well look who finally got up,” Haven says.

  I snap my head toward her as my eyebrows dip. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  She tightens the lid on her travel mug and smiles. “Because I overslept, too, and so did Blair.”

  “I guess getting that drunk on a work night isn’t a great idea,” I say, shaking my head.

  “Hell, I didn’t even get drunk. I’m just exhausted from a life of no sex,” she says, grabbing her purse.

  I slip on my heels and we walk out the door together. “I know what you mean. If I don’t have sex soon, I think I’ll officially be a virgin again.”

  We both laugh as we walk outside, assaulted by the cold. Winters suck here. It’s freezing and the snow seems to never leave. I regret my heels two steps out as I almost slip on my ass. I’d love to be somewhere warm where I don’t need four layer
s just to leave the house.

  “Maybe we’re just looking too hard,” Haven says, as we get on the train.

  “Speak for yourself.”

  She sips her coffee, and I instantly can’t wait to be at work to get a cup. They are going to be pissed that I’m late, but a part of me doesn’t care. I bend over backwards trying to prove myself and I’m overlooked every single time. If I walk in late, that might just draw my grandfather’s attention.

  My focus is brought back to Haven when I hear her laugh. “You’re right. I’m the one looking too hard and you’re the one hardly looking,” she says.

  I sigh realizing she’s right. “Yeah, well one thing at a time. Work is my priority.”

  “I know it is, Lei, but dating someone isn’t going to interfere with it. It could be just what you need. Focus your energy on something other than proving your worth,” she says.

  “Says the woman who works even longer hours than I do,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

  She shrugs her shoulders as she looks out the window. “I still make time for romance. Well, I make time to try and find it,” she says, laughing. She turns her attention back to me and smiles. “Maybe you’ve put romance on the back burner, because all the relationships you’ve had are with the most boring men ever. No offence.”

  I laugh, jolting forward a bit when the train stops. “Now that I will agree with you on.” I start to walk toward the door, but turn my head and grin at Haven. “Which is why I’m the one who walks away,” I say, with a wink.

  I am blasted by the cold on the train platform, and I pull my jacket tighter around me. I need summer to come sooner rather than later. As I walk the three blocks to the office, I think of what Haven said. I do tend to end up in relationships with boring men. I think it’s because they are just as focused on their careers as I am. It’s something you’d think would make the relationship more compatible, but that’s not how’s it been for me. I’m left craving romance, spontaneity, and earth-shattering sex. She might be right. Maybe I should look for something different.

  That thought quickly gets pushed to the back of my mind when I see my grandfather talking animatedly to a woman and two men. I know immediately they are prospective clients. I take off my jacket, folding it over my arm, as I walk over.

  “Good morning,” I cheerfully say.

  “You’re late, Lorelei,” my grandfather bites out.

  I keep my smile in place as I look at each of them. “If only I controlled the punctuality of the train.” The potential clients laugh, but my grandfather finds no humor in my remark. I could care less because it’s not him I’m trying to impress.

  “I had to wait a half hour for a train this morning. I completely understand,” the woman says. Her lips are painted bright red, her hair is pulled back in a bun, and surprisingly her makeup is dark and sexy. She's wearing a pant suit like me, but instead of a blouse under it, she’s wearing a tee shirt with something written on it. It’s edgy and very cool. The two men are in suits and both older. One has a warm smile, while the other is frowning at my grandfather.

  “Shall we continue to my office?” my grandfather asks, holding his arm out.

  “Lorelei? It is Lorelei, right?” the woman asks.

  I stick my hand out with my professional smile in place. “Yes, it is. It’s great to meet you, Miss?”

  She shakes my hand looking between all of us. “I’m Jennifer. This is Robert and Jerry,” she says. “We run the record label, JRJ.”

  I shake all their hands as I feel my grandfather’s eyes burning into the side of my head. “Are you looking for a new publicist?”

  “We are indeed,” Jerry says. The one that was frowning at my grandfather, but is smiling toward me. “We have a band gaining huge success and are in need of someone who can be completely in charge of them. We have spoken with CJJ Public Relations. They are closer to us in New York and they have some great publicists. However, we have heard amazing things about Seidel Public Relations, so we wanted to come here first.”

  My stomach drops as I decide to take my chance. This is not something I’ve ever done, but something I’ve dreamed of. I need to sell myself and this is the easy part, for me at least. “I guess the train being late worked in my favor,” I say, smiling. “As a publicist, an extremely successful and professional one at that, I’d love to be able to sit with you to hear what you need.”

  “Lorelei, they are looking for a man. You can get to work on files that I’m sure are piling up on your desk,” my grandfather says. “Please, follow me to my office and I’ll introduce you to the men I have lined up for you.”

  As they start to walk away, Jennifer looks back at me. When she stops walking, so do Jerry and Robert. “Actually, I’d like to hear what Lorelei has to say. We need someone young, someone in touch with the culture. We’ve considered talking with Catherine Pope from CJJ, but she’s busy with another client right now. I think a young woman is exactly what we’re looking for. I’d love to sit and talk with Lorelei,” Jennifer says.

  After several hours of talking with the three of them, I know in my heart I have the job. They tell me they will be in touch tomorrow with their final decision. This is a career making opportunity and I sure as hell am not going to blow it.

  Chapter Two

  Kegan

  “Hey gorgeous,” I say, pulling the sexy blonde onto my lap. “How about a shot?” Her face flushes and it makes my dick twitch. She knows exactly who I am and it’s a fucking turn on.

  “I’d love one, Kegan,” she purrs.

  My smile spreads across my face as my hands slide up her thighs. “Shots,” I yell.

  “Maybe you should get the shots before you pull the next chick on your lap,” my brother, and guitarist, Lane, says, laughing.

  “Fuck that,” Everett, my drummer, shouts. “Waitress, shots.”

  We all laugh, except for the blonde who is focused on my hands getting dangerously close to her panties. She bites her lip as she searches my eyes. “I love Loyalty. This is surreal.”

  Loyalty is our band. We’ve busted our asses to gain the success we now have. We signed on with our label, JRJ, a year ago and now we are getting ready to leave for our second tour. This band was my dream and thanks to Lane, Everett, and Remi, it’s a reality. We decided to come out tonight to celebrate before we have to meet with the label tomorrow. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than getting drunk and fucking.

  As the waitress drops off more shots, I look around at my band mates. We all grew up together in Brooklyn, New York. We started playing music together when we were in high school and even back then we had success. As successful as a bunch of high school kids who play out of their basement can be. None of us ever had a problem attracting the attention of women. I’ll admit that I’ve been with more than probably the three of them combined. Dating and fucking are two different things and I’d much rather do the latter. Especially now with the band gaining success and popularity. There’s no time for a relationship and no need. If I want my dick sucked, I just need to look for the closest chick.

  Everett is like me. He’s not looking for a relationship, but he’s all about having fun. Lane is always ready for a good time, but he keeps his eyes peeled for a woman who is more than just a one-night stand. Remi is the only one who is in a relationship. He’s been dating Olivia since high school. I’ll give him credit, he’s completely committed to her. When we were on tour, he could’ve been with countless women, but he always turned them down. Even now while I have a strange blonde on my lap, Everett is sucking on some chick’s neck, and Lane is grinding against a girl. Remi has his arm around Olivia while he whispers in her ear.

  It’s not just relationships or lack thereof, that define us. My brother, Lane, is probably the most thoughtful one of us. He thinks of everyone else before himself. I used to get pissed at him for it because I wanted him to succeed, but I see now that it is what helps him succeed. He’s a nurturer.

  Same goes for each of us. Things tha
t others may consider downfalls or maybe even turn offs, are what make us succeed. Remi is the serious one, always ready to sit down and responsibly discuss what’s going on. Everett is the funny one. He’s happiest when he’s got everyone laughing. It’s helped us through a lot of shitty times.

  And me, well I’m the determined one. Nothing stands in my way. I refuse to be told something can’t be done when it’s what I want. I’ll fight a bloody battle to get it

  “Aren’t you guys going on tour soon?” the blonde asks, focusing my attention back on her.

  I grin at her as I squeeze her thigh. “In just about a week.” I grab two shots, handing her one. “So drink up.”

  She tosses back the shot at the same time I do. She’s definitely not sober, but neither am I. “Can I take a selfie with you?” she asks, giggling.

  “Sure, but after that we do another shot, and get out on the dance floor,” I say.

  She excitedly grabs her phone out of her pocket and takes far too many selfies. I eventually lift her off my lap and stand up. I grab her hand without a word, leading her to the dance floor. She blushes as I pull her against me as I start to move. Her hands roam up and down my back as she gets more comfortable with me.

  She leans forward, pressing her lips against my ear so I can hear her over the loud music. “You never asked my name,” she whispers.

  I pull back and grin at her, spinning her to have her ass pressed against me. I rock my hips as my hands glide up her sides to her tits. They are definitely fake, but it’s what got my attention first. As my hands palm them, I can feel her nipples harden under my touch. I pull her even closer to me and lean forward biting her ear.